Student guide to Reading: The 10 best restaurants

With the University of Reading Fresher's week fast approaching and new students arriving in Reading, there are bound to be some questions for university goers moving to the town.

For those of you not familiar with the area, getreading has already compiled a list of the best places to shop in Reading and the best bars and clubs to head to for drinks and dancing, but now for another important part of university life - food!

1) Nando's - The Oracle Riverside

Tackle some medium spiced chicken, or if you're feeling extra devilish, go for the Nando's hot spice. This joint on The Oracle, Riverside also does takeaway. Although Nando's do not offer any kind of national student discount, it's Nando's card scheme means you can start collecting chillies and earn rewards. Before you know it you'll be elbow-deep in free peri-peri, a welcome break from bread and baked beans.

2) Yo Sushi - The Oracle, House of Fraser

The sushi bar offer more than just raw fish and cold rice. Choose from over 80 items including a range of hot dishes such as soups, rice, noodles, yakitori and katsu curry, as well as sushi, salads and desserts. Sit at the bar or in a booth and choose items from the moving belt or order hot food. There are six different coloured plates at six different prices which get counted up and the end of the meal.

Join the YO! Student Club to get 25% student discount off all year round! This is valid on Tuesday to Friday and Sundays.

3) Giraffe - The Oracle Riverside

From brunch and small plates, to no-bun burgers and global mains, there's lots to choose from at Giraffe. Could you be tempted by a chilli beef burrito or a Marrakech Market flavoured salad with fresh herbs and kale?

NUS extra cardholders can now receive 20% off your food bill at Giraffe, all day Monday to Friday and Sundays from 6pm.

4) Pizza Express - The Oracle Riverside or St Mary's Butts

Pizza Express not only offer a range of different types and styles of pizza, they also offer pasta, risotto, salads and various Italian antipasti.

The NUS extra card entitles you to a 40% discount on your food and drink bill at Pizza Express every Monday and Tuesday. In addition, it entitles you to a 20% discount on your food and drink bill on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

5) McDonald's - The Oracle Riverside or Oxford Road

All restaurants owned directly by McDonald's offer students a free Hamburger, Cheeseburger or McFlurry with any purchase of an Extra Value meal or Deli meal if they show a valid NUS card when ordering.

6) Handmade Burger Co - The Oracle Riverside

Add toppings to salads, swap seasoned chips for sweet potato fries, or choose different flavour beef or chicken burgers - including peanut butter and bacon, brie and cranberry, chorizo, New York Deli and more.

The restaurant has over 40 different burgers which are all handmade from scratch on site every day. Students can get 15% total bill discount, all day, every day or 30% total bill discount on Mondays from 3pm.

7) T.G.I. Friday's - Caversham Road

According to the Reading Branch, the top 5 order menus are: the ultimate Jack Daniel's double glazed ribs, Jack Daniel's bucket of bones, NEW Warrior, 8oz sirlion and the chicken finger BLT.

The restaurant with an American flavour and a “shotgun kitchen” is opening up a second branch in Reading .

TGI Friday's has confirmed a second restaurant will open this autumn, coming to the riverside at The Oracle shopping centre in early October. It will have two levels and be decorated with memorabilia focusing on local culture, including mementos from Reading Festival.

8) The Slug and Lettuce - The Oracle Riverside

Not only does the restaurant offer 2-for-1 cocktails, mix n' match 4pm to close from Thursday to Saturday, it also has Happy Mondays where all food is half price with 50% off.

9) All Bar One - The Oracle Riverside

All Bar One has a breakfast, lunch and main menu, and specialise in small plates. It has a 3 for £16 of 5 for £26 deal on small plates for customers to share and sample a bit of everything.

Small plates include houmous and favetta, lemongrass and chilli tempura king prawns, little mezze and patas bravas.

10) Cosmo - Friar Street

From the Chinese countryside to the fishing villages of Japan to the food markets of Delhi and everywhere in between - COSMO has dishes from around the world. There are various live cooking stations around the restaurant where diners can watch food being prepared.

The buffet style restaurant offer lots of different cuisines including a sushi selection, noodle and work bar, pizzeria, global kitchen and sea food.